2021 Leconfield Riesling

Over the years the Leconfield Riesling has taken its place amongst the best examples in Australia. Our 48-year-old Riesling vineyard comprises some of the original planting’s on the estate; mature vines which produce a crop of intensely flavoured fruit with wonderful varietal character every year.

Sydney Hamilton planted the 6 acre (2.6 ha) Riesling vineyard in 1974 and we have now completed a restructuring of the vineyard to sustain it over the next 40 or more years. We made several small parcels using different yeasts and techniques, included some barrel fermentation of a small batch in well seasoned hogsheads to provide texture and length. Harvesting took place in the cold of the early morning and grapes were able to be placed in the air-bag press within minutes of picking. The juice was cold settling before fermentation and cool fermented to retain fragrant esters. Following fermentation, the wine was allowed to settle on its yeast lees ultimately received a light fining to aid clarification.
Background:
Sydney Hamilton planted the 6 acre (2.6 ha) Riesling vineyard in 1974 and we have now completed a restructuring of the vineyard to sustain it over the next 40 or more years. We made several small parcels using different yeasts and techniques, included some barrel fermentation of a small batch in well seasoned hogsheads to provide texture and length. Harvesting took place in the cold of the early morning and grapes were able to be placed in the air-bag press within minutes of picking. The juice was cold settling before fermentation and cool fermented to retain fragrant esters. Following fermentation, the wine was allowed to settle on its yeast lees then ultimately received a light fining to aid clarification.
Vintage Conditions:
The 2021 Vintage in Coonawarra has the hallmarks of an incredible vintage, with superb conditions and fruit of outstanding quality and quantity being harvested. The season was mild with very stable weather conditions. The temperatures during the growing season were mild with only minor fluctuations and no major rainfall events. Dry conditions continued right through summer, and consequently, berries remained relatively small with thick skins. Coonawarra did receive several small rainfall events during the growing which was beneficial to the general vine health and soil moisture. These climatic conditions lead to long and steady increases in maturity levels, allowing winemakers to pick at optimum levels for ripeness and flavour.